Signal



L. H. THOEN Jan. 25, 1932..

SIGNAL Filed April 18, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet Wm W IN VEN TOR Zen/Eu. 7, 105

. -v A T ORNEY! Jam. 26, W3 L. H. THOEN 1,842,700

SIGNAL Filed April 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \1- W Afi m/ INVENTOR Lon Eu. h. 7i1'0E/Y Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATN'T OFFICE LOWELL H. THOEN, OF SAN LEANDRO, GALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO CATERPILLAR TRACTOR (10., OF SAN LELANDRO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA SIGNAL Application filed. April 18,

This invention relates to signals and particularly to signals for use wlth mufflers or spark arr-esters.

Description of figures Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a spark arrester equipped with a signal in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view with one of the signals in section.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of another embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a third embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation thereof Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Description of device Spark arresters to which the signal is particularly adapted are similar to the s ark arrester illustrated in the patent to Wic ersham, No. 1,344,367. The exhaust pipes of tractors and harvesters are usually equipped with spark arresters when working in fields of dry grain in order to reduce the fire hazard. These spark arresters serve also as mufflers. As the harvester is drawn over the field by a tractor and the tractor operator is facing forward, the harvester is behind the tractor. It is often diflicult for the harvester operator to signal the tractor operator. For this reason the spark arrester is equipped with a signal in accordance with this invention.

The spark arrester has a circular body portion 10 having a pipe extension 11 adapted to be clamped to the end of the exhaust pipe 12. A tangential passage 13 communicates with the circular body 10 and the end of passage 13 is normally closed by cover 14 to provide a receptacle for incandescent carbon thrown out of the exhaust stream by centrifugal force. The exhaust gases escape through central opening 15 in the circular body 10.

Bracket 16 is provided with flange 16 by which it is secured to the side of the spark arrester so that a passage 17 in the bracket communicates with the opening 15. Valve 18 is adapted to close passage 17 and is secured 1931. Serial No. 531,158.

to shaft 19 which is journaled in apertured bosses 20, 21 formed on bracket 16. One end of shaft 19 is provided with crank 22 which is connected by pin 23 to link 24. Short pipe 25 is formed integrally with bracket 16 in communication with passage 17 and is adapted to receive whistle 26 of conventional de sign. Exhaust gases normally escape in the direction of arrow 27 Valve 18 normally being in the dotted line position, to blow the whistle link 24 is raised to the full line position so that valve 18 closes passage 17 and the exhaust gases escape in the direction of arrow 28 through the whistle. A second whistle and controlling valve are mounted on the other side of the spark arrester as shown in Fig. 2. The lower ends of the two links 24 are pivoted to a eross-piece 29 to the center of which an operating member 30 is connected. The parts are normally in the dotted line position (Fig. 2). To operate the whistle, the operator causes the operating memher 30 to be raised, placing the parts in the full line position.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, a short pipe communicates with the top of the spark arrester and the pipe 40 is normally closed by Valve 41 which is pro vided with an operating lever 42 and rod 43. The whistle 44 is connected to pipe 40. To sound the signal, rod 48 is operated to open valve 41, and the exhaust gases pass out through signal 44.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 end piece 14 which closes the end of tangential passage 13 is provided with an inwardly extending pipe 50 which is provided with valve 51 adapted to be operated by lever 52 and rod 53. Whistle 54 is connected to pipe 50. Operation of rod 53 opens valve 51, permitting the exhaust gases to escape through whistle 54. Pipe 50 extends inwardly and is located at the bottom of passage 13 so that the signal installation will not interfere with the operation of the spark arrester.

I, therefore, claim as my invention:

1. The combination with an exhaust pipe and spark arrester therefor, having a circular body portion and central apertures therein, of a signal mounted on said spark arrester, and means to place said signal in communication With said apertures.

2. The combination with an exhaust pipe and a spark arrester secured thereto having an aperture therein, of a signal mounted on said spark arrester, and means connected to said signal and adapted to place said signal in communication with said aperture.

8. The combination With an exhaust pipe and a spark arrester secured thereto having a circular body portion and a pipe in the periphery of said body portion, of a signal mounted on said pipe, and a valve for controlling the operation of said signal mounted in said pipe.

4:. The combination With an exhaust pipe and a spark arrester therefor, having a passageway leading therefrom, of means to normally close said passage, a Whistle mounted in said means, and means to operate said Whistle by exhaust gases from said spark arrester.

5. The combination With an exhaust pipe and a spark arrester therefor, a signal mounted on said spark arrester, and valve means for admitting spark-free gases from said spark arrester to said signal to control operation of said signal.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

LOWELL H. THOEN. 

